JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages on the web. It is used to create interactive web pages, mobile applications, and even desktop applications.
Often referred to as one of the top three leading web technologies, JavaScript is a versatile language that can be used for a wide variety of tasks. However, as you start diving deeper into learning these languages, you will see the term “JavaScript” attached to many technologies on the web.
The JavaScript landscape can certainly be daunting, especially for beginners when getting started. The language, and its overall ecosystem, is constantly changing and is marked by an array of frameworks and libraries that extend its capabilities.
You will come across several frameworks and libraries, and it can be overwhelming to understand and navigate the JavaScript landscape as a beginner.
This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the JavaScript landscape from a beginner’s perspective. We will cover the different types of JavaScript, the most popular frameworks and libraries, and the tools that you need to get started in your learning journey.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is simply the language used to build applications on the web. You might have frequently seen HTML, CSS, and JavaScript referred to as the core languages of the web.
With such reference, if you consider HTML as the markup language (responsible for structure) and CSS as the style language, JavaScript is the language to build applications and often brings the entire thing together.
At its core, JavaScript is a dynamic, high-level programming language widely recognized for its role in adding interactivity and functionality to websites. What sets JavaScript apart is its ability to be executed on the client side (in the user’s browser) as well as on the server side (thanks to technologies like Node.js), making it incredibly versatile.
Vanilla JavaScript: Vanilla Javascript or Vanilla JS, or simply JavaScript, refers to the core language. It’s a foundation on which other variants, such as TypeScript, CoffeeScript etc., have emerged.
ECMAScript: ECMAScript is the browser specification of the JavaScript language. It is named after the European Computer Manufacturers Association group, which is in charge of the language’s specification and how it is interpreted by the browsers.
Types of JavaScript
There are two main types of JavaScript:
- Client-side JavaScript
- Server-side JavaScript
Client-side JavaScript is executed in the browser. It is used to create interactive web pages. For example, client-side JavaScript can be used to make a web page responsive, add animations, and create forms.
Server-side JavaScript is executed on the server. It is used to create dynamic web pages. For example, server-side JavaScript can be used to process form data, generate HTML pages, and serve APIs.
Client-side JavaScript Frameworks
There are several JavaScript frameworks that run the modern web, and they play a vital role in JavaScript development.
These frameworks provide a set of tools and libraries that make it easier to build complex JavaScript applications. Essentially, they add an additional layer on top of Javascript to do things in a more streamlined way.
They also provide a common structure and set of conventions that make it easier to work with other developers.
Let’s delve into some of the most popular JavaScript frameworks that have become integral in modern web development.
1. React (React JS)
Developed by Facebook, React is a declarative, efficient, and flexible JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It’s component-based, which means you build encapsulated components that manage their own state, and then compose them to make complex UIs.
React is widely used for building single-page applications (SPAs) and mobile applications. Its virtual DOM implementation makes it incredibly fast and efficient for dynamic data updates, making it ideal for projects with high user interaction and data updates.
2. Angular (Angular JS)
Angular, maintained by Google, is a platform and framework for building client-side applications using HTML, CSS, and TypeScript. It’s known for its powerful data binding, dependency injection, and extensive feature set.
Angular is suited for building large-scale, high-performance web applications. It’s often chosen for enterprise-level applications due to its strong typing with TypeScript, comprehensive application solutions, and robust ecosystem.
3. Vue.js
Vue.js is a progressive JavaScript framework used for building UIs and single-page applications. It is designed to be incrementally adoptable. The core library focuses on the view layer only, and it’s easy to pick up and integrate with other libraries or existing projects.
Vue.js is particularly loved for its simplicity and ease of integration. It’s a good choice for those new to front-end frameworks and also powerful enough to build complex applications, offering a balance between React and Angular.
4. Ember.js
Ember.js is an opinionated framework that provides a strong set of conventions and a robust architecture for building scalable single-page applications.
It is ideal for developers who prefer a comprehensive solution that includes best practices and patterns baked in. Ember.js is used for creating ambitious web applications and is known for its stability and a strong emphasis on convention over configuration.
5. Svelte
Svelte is a relatively new framework that shifts much of the work to compile time, converting your components into highly efficient imperative code that directly manipulates the DOM.
Its unique approach offers a simplified coding process and enhanced performance, making it an intriguing choice for building faster web applications with less code. Svelte is particularly appealing for projects where speed and smaller bundle sizes are priorities.
6. Backbone.js
Backbone.js is a lightweight library that allows developers to structure their JavaScript applications by providing models with key-value binding and custom events.
It is a great choice for developing single-page applications and syncing them with a RESTful API. Backbone is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent option for small projects or applications where a full-fledged framework might be overkill.
These JavaScript frameworks have significantly contributed to modern web development. Each offers unique features, strengths, and architectural styles. Selecting the right framework depends on the specific requirements of the project, the team’s expertise, and the desired level of flexibility and structure.
As the web continues to evolve, these frameworks adapt and grow, continually shaping the landscape of JavaScript development.
There are also build tools that can be tagged along with JavaScript frameworks, which we will look into in the later sections of this guide.
Server-side JavaScript Tools
While JavaScript is primarily associated with the front end of applications (client-side), it is also now increasingly used in the backend or the server side of the application.
Tools such as Node.js have become hugely popular for server-side use cases. With modern JavaScript, the Node.js runtime environment allows JavaScript to run outside the confines of the browser.
This server-side adaptation of JavaScript has revolutionized the way we think about and build web applications. Here, we explore some of the key tools and technologies in the realm of server-side JavaScript.
1. Node.js
As mentioned earlier, Node.js is a runtime environment that executes JavaScript on the server side. It’s built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine and uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, making it lightweight and efficient.
Node.js is ideal for developing scalable network applications. It’s widely used for building web servers, RESTful APIs, real-time applications like chat and gaming apps, and even command-line tools.
2. Express.js
Express.js is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features to develop web and mobile applications.
It facilitates the rapid development of Node.js based web applications and is especially suited for creating single-page, multi-page, and hybrid web applications. Express.js simplifies tasks like routing, middleware integration, and template engine setup.
3. MeteorJS
Meteor.js is a full-stack JavaScript platform for building modern web and mobile applications. It includes a key set of technologies for building connected-client reactive applications.
Meteor.js allows for rapid prototyping and produces cross-platform (web, Android, iOS) code. It integrates seamlessly with MongoDB and uses the Distributed Data Protocol and a publish–subscribe pattern to automatically propagate data changes to clients without requiring the developer to write any synchronization code.
4. Nest.js
Nest.js is a framework for building efficient, reliable, and scalable server-side applications. It uses TypeScript by default and is heavily inspired by Angular.
Nest.js is well-suited for building enterprise-grade applications. It provides an out-of-the-box application architecture which allows developers and teams to create highly testable, scalable, loosely coupled, and easily maintainable applications.
5. NPM (Node Package Manager)
NPM is the default package manager for Node.js and the world’s largest software registry. It hosts packages (or modules) of open-source JavaScript code.
NPM is used to install, share, and manage dependencies (libraries and frameworks) in Node.js projects. It greatly simplifies the process of using and distributing JavaScript code.
The server-side JavaScript landscape, spearheaded by Node.js and its rich ecosystem of frameworks and tools, has dramatically expanded the capabilities of JavaScript.
These tools not only streamline the development process but also empower developers to build more efficient, scalable, and robust web applications. Understanding and leveraging these tools is key to harnessing the full potential of JavaScript in server-side development.
Besides the client-side and server-side JavaScript tools, there are several other related tools and libraries that have emerged to ease the entire development process.
Let’s look into some of those related tools and libraries so that you can get a better understanding of the JavaScript Landscape.
JavaScript Tools
There are also a number of tools available to help you develop JavaScript applications. The build tools, for example, help human-written code turn into code optimized for browsers.
Some of the most popular tools include:
- npm
- Webpack
- Gulp
- Babel
- TypeScript
- ESLint
These tools can help you with tasks such as code formatting, code linting, and code debugging.
Popular JavaScript Libraries
In addition to tools and frameworks, there are also many popular JavaScript libraries that often come up with the work and discussions related to JavaScript. Some of the most popular libraries include:
- jQuery
- Lodash
- D3
- Three.js
- Underscore
These libraries provide a variety of useful functions and features that can be used to improve the performance and functionality of your JavaScript applications.
Getting Started with JavaScript
While this will require an article of its own, here are a few things you need to do to get started if you are new to JavaScript.
First, you need to install a JavaScript development environment. You can use a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE).
One of the most popular text editors that you consider using is VS Code, which is available to download and use for free.
Next, you need to learn the basics of JavaScript. You can find many tutorials and courses online.
Once you have learned the basics, you can start building your own JavaScript applications. You can use one of the popular frameworks or libraries to help you get started.
With all the frameworks, libraries and tools, JavaScript has emerged as a powerful and versatile language that can be used to create a wide variety of applications.
The JavaScript landscape can be daunting for beginners, but hopefully, this guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the different types, the most popular frameworks and libraries, and the tools that you need to get started.
